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The constant shifting of Silesia across Polish and German borders over several centuries has created a unique ethnic mix and a regional self-consciousness. The dominant spoken language is a Germanised dialect of Polish. But whatever their ethnic origins, the Silesians themselves have developed a separate identity that borrows liberally from both Polish and German.

Czechs are a nation of beer-lovers it's true and rare is the street, which doesn't boast at least one pub. These vary enormously - from the swanky, upmarket bars that cater for tourists and discerning locals, and on the other, the traditional, old-fashioned Czech boozer. But that second variety - the simple Czech pub - feels threatened, as new, strict hygiene rules come into force.

European integration is also doing its bit for the rebirth of polish Health Spas. The small southwestern town of Swieradów was a luxurious German upper class spa before World War Two. Under communism, it declined to a rather dowdy, cheap, health resort. Today, Swieradów is finding a new prosperous era as western tourists, especially Germans, rediscover its charms.

In the north Slovak region of Liptov, some cheese makers fear the EU may do them out of a job. The region is well known for its special sheep's cheese - known as "bryndza". But the traditional method of preparing this delicacy is gradually dying out. And the blame is being placed on Brussels, which is demanding new hygiene rules... Martina Grenova went to Liptov to investigate...

From it's source in the Black Forest of Germany to its mouth in the Black Sea, the Danube River flows through 11 countries including Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia. And for millennia the Danube has been one of Europe's most important sources of trade, food and energy. It's also been a convenient drain for mans many pollutants. But according to the new head of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube, Phil Weller, European Union enlargement will be good for Danube water quality.

As EU expansion approaches, all eyes are on regulations that will influence daily life in the new member states - but cultural will also undergo some changes. A project led by Austrian European member of Parliament Mercedes Echerer called "EU XXL" brought together filmmakers from the old and new member states to make sure this new era in European cinema gets off to a good start.

Jobs, study and travel figure strongly in the ambitions of young Slovenes. But as Ksenija Samardzija-Matul found out on the streets of Ljubljana, many young Slovenes are also looking forward to getting a job - outside of Slovenia.

The Roma, or gypsies, will become the biggest ethnic minority group within the EU, when the bloc expands in May next year - There are now an estimated 8.5 million Roma living in Europe, around 70 per cent of them are in Central and Eastern Europe. They are also Europe's poorest group. So will they do better as EU citizens? The first Roma rights lobby group to base itself in the EU heartland has opened an office in Brussels. At it's helm is a young Hungarian woman of Roma origin, Angela Kocze. Petra Hajdu of Radio Budapest asked Angela what can

The 11 official languages of the European Union already make for quite a mouthful, but when a fresh batch of members states joins next year - it will cost European taxpayers 1 billion euros a year just to translate all the speeches and official texts from Brussels. But it also means better job prospects for translators from the candidate countries....

Five Infrastructure projects in Austria will also receive EU funds. They include the Brenner road tunnel linking Italy and Austria, rail and water connections with the Slovak capital Bratislava and a motorway between Vienna and Sopron in Hungary. But is all of this well thought through? Austrian transport expert Hermann Knoflacher from the technical university says by developing more motorways the EU is heading in the wrong direction.